Fat, oil and grease in pipelines and sewers cost billions in repairs

摘要

Thousands of fat, oil and grease (FOG) related sewer spills every year cost billions of dollars for water authorities worldwide. More than 100 tonnes of fat are poured down sinks every day in London, England, according to Thames Water, not just in restaurants and cafes, but in ordinary households. The water company says it clears more than 100,000 blockages from sewers on a yearly basis and believes that solidified fat caused more than half. Speaking on a British Broadcasting Company (BBC) London radio programme in January 2002, Thames Water's Environment and Quality Manager Peter Spillett said, "Hot fat pours down sinks easily, but it quickly solidifies, causing blockages to sewer pipes. The smaller pipes close to customers' homes are most likely to be affected, risking blocked drains and flooding. This can quickly lead to pollution of rivers and streams if fat blocks the main sewer network."